Monthly Archives: December 2012

A few hundred years ago in West Bengal, India, Caitanya Mahaprabhu started a revolution in kirtan, or group chanting, by taking it to the streets in a widespread fashion. He did this with his brother and trusted counterpart Nityananda, a name that means Eternally in Transcendental Bliss. Pia, otherwise known as Gaurangi devi dasi, pays tribute to this divine pair with the song Nitai, featuring words from the great 19th-century Bengali saint, Bhaktivinode Thakur. These verses are from the poem known as Dalalera Gita, which translates as “Song of the Broker“, the broker in this case being Nityananda, who is giving away freely the merchandise of ecstatic bliss in the form of sacred chanting.

Next up Bahramji sings about letting go and tuning into the beloved within. He dances and becomes intoxicated with divine love, and these verses tell a story of sorrow, surrender and (ultimately) satisfaction. By letting go of everything in this world, he becomes full. The track is called The Way to the Light, and it appears on his 2007 collaborative release with Mashti, entitled Sufi Safir.

Next we hear a short bite of the song Raksha Ma by the talented, unique, Wah!, the word Raksha translating as “To Protect”, and Ma as “Mother”. This is from her second release of Savasana music and features the chant Jai Ma, an offering to the divine mother, asking for her shelter.

Capping-off this set is accomplished yogi & prolific musician Matthew Portwood with his most-wonderful project BeautifulWorld, and the track Tulasi Kirtan. This is an ode to the friend of Radha and Krishna known as Tulasi devi. The world Tulasi means “One who has no comparison” and she is regarded as the bestower of pure bhakti or devotion by those who pay hommage to her. In India she is worshipped in the form of the Tulasi plant which grows commonly throughout the country.

The last track of todays show is a gypsy style kirtan by travelling mendicant and performer, Sadhu Nada. The song is entitled Bom Bom Bolo and is a tribute to Lord Shiva. The words Bom Bom referring to the sound of Shiva’s drum as he performs his dance of universal destruction, and the word Bolo urging us to “Chant”. This track comes from an album of the same name.

Drawing our ‘Month of Kartik’ thread to a close, this weeks show kicks of with a traditional Gaudiya Vaishnava rendition of Damodarastakam, or eight verses dedicated to the toddler form of Krishna known as Damodar. This was recorded and produced by Russian producer, DJ, and bhakti-yogi, Huron, from his release entitled Gaudiya Gitanjali. This is followed by a brief explanation of the last verse and of the overall sentiments of the song.

Beginning the next set is a sweet and soulful track by UK-based Mahasukha, which contains Buddhist chants directed to bodhisattva Manjughosha, the buddha of wisdom and eloquence, among other things.

Next up, Peia extends her beautiful and hypnotic voice with a song called Maachi Ma, maachi meaning ‘full moon’ in the Aztec language. Perhaps a lullaby for the moon goddess, Coyolxauhqui, or of the earth mother, Toci. She tells a short story at the beginning of the recording. This is a live track recorded at Seven Seeds which also features Sara Tone.

Taking us across the Caribbean ocean with some eastern flavoured Rastafari rhythm, Sound Ambassador, DJ Drez, brings us together as One with the track Chakra from his release Nyabinghi Anahata Yoga. The closing words of the track ask us to coat our vision with pure love, “The mind can only see clearly through the heart chakra“.

Making their debut on Mantra Radio, but no newcomer by any means, is Niyaz (a Persian or Urdu word for ‘yearning’). Well-known for blending Middle Eastern music styles and languages with modern arrangements, instruments and technology, they end the middle set of the show with the powerful and hankering trackIshq – Love and the Veil from the release Nine Heavens.

Closing off the show is a beautiful ballad by duet Mirabai Ceiba entitled Burn of the Heart, which appears on their latest album, Between the Shores of our Souls. This is based on a composition by the devotional poet, Rumi.